Courts

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Pierre pleads not guilty to PFMA charge

POLSON — A St. Ignatius man who was accused of strangling his girlfriend has entered into a plea agreement that will reduce a felony matter to a misdemeanor.

William Baptiste Pierre, 36, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Nov. 10, to misdemeanor partner or family member assault. Pierre was initially charged with the more serious offense of felony strangulation of a partner or family member.

According to court records, on Aug. 19, law enforcement responded to a report from Pierre’s mother that her son was in a dispute with his girlfriend. At the scene, the victim told responding officers that she was in a verbal altercation with Pierre and that he wouldn’t let her leave. She went on to state that Pierre “choke slammed” her onto a bed, then put his hands over her mouth and nose. She said she could not breathe. She also said Pierre squeezed her hard enough that she cut the inside of her mouth.

Judge James Manley inquired as to why the state was reducing the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. Prosecutor Molly

Owen with the Lake County Attorney’s office explained that she tried multiple times to contact the victim but received no engagement, leaving her no choice but to amend the charge. Judge Manley sentenced Pierre to one year in the Lake County jail with all but 24 hours suspended. Pierre also admitted to a William Pierre parole violation on a criminal endangerment conviction from 2019. Judge Manley committed Pierre to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with three years suspended on the parole violation. That is to run concurrently to the jail time. Pierre had already served 84 days in jail.

Bates committed to DOC, fined for DUI

POLSON — A Polson man was ordered to pay restitution and fines of $6,030 after being convicted of felony DUI. The restitution was ordered during a sentencing hearing held at District Court in Polson Nov. 9. Zachery Verne Bates, 33, was initially facing felony DUI and felony theft for stealing his mother’s SUV.

According to court records, on July 27, a woman called law enforcement to report her son, Bates, had just stolen her 2004 GMC Yukon from her residence. A law enforcement officer with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes intercepted the Yukon on U.S. Highway 93 south of Arlee. The officer observed the Yukon almost drive into the opposite lane of travel, then over the fog line prompting a traffic stop. Bates was identified as the driver. He admitted to swerving all over the road and being intoxicated. He also admitted to stealing the Yukon.

In addition to the restitution, which included a fine of $5,000 for DUI, Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher committed Bates to two years with the Montana Department of Corrections, plus two years of supervised release. The judge also recommended Bates attend the DOC’s residential alcohol treatment program.

A plea agreement reached on Sept. 10 called for the theft charge being dismissed at sentencing. Bates was given credit for having served 102 days in the Lake County jail.

Manyhides committed to DOC for drug possession

POLSON — A Polson man was committed at District Court in Polson on Nov. 10 to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections with three years suspended on one count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Matthew George Manyhides, 33, was also sentenced to the Lake County jail for six months with all but 149 days of time served suspended for misdemeanor assault.

According to court records, on Dec. 6, 2020, Manyhides was an occupant of a vehicle that was the subject of a traffic stop in Ronan. A search of the vehicle turned up methamphetamine. Manyhides was later arrested for threatening a group of people, including a sibling, with a knife at an apartment in the 400 block of 11th Ave. E. in Polson on Dec. 23, 2020. Manyhides pled guilty to the Matthew charges Sept. 22 as part of a plea Manyhides agreement that dismisses four other drug possession charges and reduced a felony assault with a weapon charge to misdemeanor assault.

$7.5M value-added ag grant program launches

Department of Agriculture accepting concept papers through Dec. 15

News from the office of the Governor

HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte today launched a $7.5 million Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program to invest in value-added agricultural products across the state and strengthen the industry.

“Agriculture is Montana’s number one industry, and our administration is partnering with our ag industry to find ways to add value to commodities here in Montana,” Gov. Gianforte. “By investing in value-added processing and manufacturing in Montana, our producers will be able to keep pace with a transforming agricultural industry, create jobs, and expand business opportunities here in Montana.”

From now until Dec. 15, the program is accepting concept papers which will be reviewed and ranked by a panel of agricultural industry representatives. Select applicants will be invited to submit a full application for funding by Feb.2022, after which the ARPA Economic Transformation, Stabilization and Workforce Development Advisory Commission will consider final funding recommendations.

All grant requests through the program require a funding match to assure commitment from grant recipients. Applicants may apply for awards up to $150,000 with a 1:1 match; awards from $150,001 to $300,000 with a 2:1 match; or awards from $300,001 to $450,000 with a 3:1 match.

Interested parties can visit: agr. mt.gov/arpagrants to view program guidelines and apply.